Q&A

How does 903 work?
biomolecules are bound to the cellulose fiber matrix

What sample types can I apply to 903 paper cards?
Recommended for DBS analyses, blood sample collection for diagnostic applications

How should I store the unused 903 cards?
Recommendation for the storage of 903 cards is at less than 25°C and 60% RH, protected from direct sunlight

What is the shelf life of an unused 903 card?
The shelf life of an unused 903 card is three years.

Is it safe to mail 903 cards with sample applied to them?
A. Recommended: Samples should be transported or mailed to the laboratory within 24 hours of specimen collection, and the appropriate tracking documentation maintained, according to local regulations and according to your local procedures and policies.
B. In principle: Shipment of DBS Protein saver 903 cards stored at room temperature must occur within 4 weeks. Alternatively, cards should be placed in a refrigerator or freezer according to the protocol specific instructions.
According to World Health Organization guidance on regulations for the transport of infectious substances 2011–2012:
To mail DBS specimens, you must use the basic triple-packaging system.
1. The primary container is the filter paper matrix that contains the absorbed and dried blood.
2. A secondary container must enclose the primary (filter paper) container. The secondary container should have a fold-over flap or an inner envelope to secure the contents.
3. The third level of containment is an outer envelope of sturdy, high-quality paper. These levels of containment provide reasonable safety from occupational exposure and maintain optimal specimen integrity.
Additional hints: Always follow local postal, courier, and other transport regulations. If local regulations require enclosure in airtight, leak-proof sealed containers (plastic or foil bags) for transportation, then you must include a sufficient number of desiccant packages to ensure specimens are exposed only minimally to excessive moisture.

What Puncher can be used with 903 paper?
designs can be adjusted to fit the most used punchers

What happens if 903 cards gets wet, either before or after storage?
If the 903 card gets wet prior to sample application, discard the unused, wet card , as some of the sample may have been washed off.
If the product gets wet after sample application, take a punch from the specimen retrieve DNA and process it as soon as possible. The liquid may have compromised the sample, biomolecule degradation could have occurred, which is why it is important to retrieve the sample immediately

How do I apply the blood or other liquid samples onto 903 cards?
There are different protocols available, please also see the related IFU leaflet.

Can I re-apply sample to the card after the spot has dried to get more sample onto the 903 cards?
No

Can custom formats be made?
Yes. Our design team can work with you to produce a device that will fit your needs.

Can you apply previously frozen blood to 903 cards to purify sample?
Yes, a larger punch may be needed though as some of the cells may have been lysed on freezing

How many punches can I get from one 903 sample circle?
Depends on the punch diameter and circle size (min circle size recommened with 10 mm)

Can I elute DNA from the 903 card?
in principle yes, with the help of proteinase K treatment and a phenol/chloroform/isoamyl alcohol (25:24:1) extraction (application note available).

What do you mean by excessive humidity during storage? What about humidity during shipment of spotted and/or unspotted product?
Humidity may compromise the sample, biomolecule degradation could occur, there we recommend to use a sealed bag containing a desiccant packet.

How much blood does each card hold?
This depends on number of circles per card. Each circle sample area holds 75-80µl of sample, max 400µl for cards with 5 sample areas

What Certification is available?
Certificate of Analysis is available for the 903 paper used for each job. We normally do not provide job specific Certificate of Analysis.
Country of Origin certificates get supplied for Export contries as a mandatory document.

Are MSDS available?
No Material Data Safty Sheets are available as no chemicals are used for this product

What types of barcodes can you print?
EBF can print most barcodes that are utlized in the industry. Using high speed laser printers, EBF can customize to any barcode size, and is also able to print 2-D barcodes.

Can you print barcodes on 903 filter paper?
Because of the nature of 903 filter paper and it’s high obsorbancy, EBF does not recommend trying to print finely printed items, such as barcodes, directly onto the 903 paper.

What is your typical delivery?
The complexity of the card & volume can affect delivery, however the majority of orders can be processed and shipped 6-8-weeks after PO recepit & Customer copy approval.

Can you produce multi-part forms?
Yes, EBF can manufacture anything from a simple 903 single card to multi-part forms with barcoding and/or numbering. With our 50+ years expereince behind us, our team is also able to offer design suggestions to meet customer needs.